G Force Cricket Academy stages GCC Cup for Under 14 and Under 16 budding cricketers

By K.R. Nayar 

The GCC Cup will be played by the UAE-based G Force Gladiators and G Force Strikers teams together with the HPCA Cricket Academy and Noor Sports Cricket Academy from Bahrain in both age categories. This tournament is being held at the Vision Cricket Ground in Sharjah and is proposed to be a regular annual event from this year 

The High Performance team from Bahrain

G Force Cricket Academy, one of the leading and oldest cricket academies in the UAE, is hosting the GCC Cricket Cup for the Under 14 and Under 16 teams with an objective to provide continued exposure to budding cricketers.

This academy, which has over the years introduced many innovative tournaments to promote match-playing skills and boosted the potential in many budding cricketers in the UAE, is spreading its wings to lift talent among the GCC countries too.   Four teams, including two from Bahrain, are taking part in this 30-overs-a-side event which has commenced at the Vision Cricket Ground in Sharjah. Bahrain became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 2001 and then became an associate member in 2017.

The participating teams in the first GCC Cup are HPCA Cricket Academy (Bahrain), Noor Sports Cricket Academy (Bahrain), G Force Gladiators (UAE), and G Force Strikers (UAE) in both age categories.

The GCC Cup in progress at the Vision Cricket Ground in Sharjah 

G Force Academy has taken the initiative to organize this tournament in order to provide exposure to the Bahrain youngsters on turf wickets, given that Bahrain is yet to introduce these wickets in their country. Speaking about this tournament, Gopal Jasapara, Head Coach and founder of the G Force Academy said: “We have, over the years, provided quality cricket through our competitions. This is yet another step involving young cricketers from Bahrain. It will be ideal preparation for these budding cricketers.”

A group of 27 has arrived in the UAE from Bahrain, and this includes 19 players and eight coaches. Parents of some of these budding cricketers have also joined the group. Elaborating on the tournament, Jasapara said “All four teams will get to play four matches in this tournament.  We are so pleased to have a quality tournament where all our boys from the UAE will be getting a chance to play some good games. They are not just playing competitive cricket, but they are also getting the exposure to play against overseas teams.”

The tournament is sponsored by Premier Technology. Talking about how the idea of a GCC Cup sprang up, Jasapara said: “We came up with the idea of a GCC Cup when we got the support from High Performance Cricket Academy in Bahrain. They have come here not only to support us, but they have also brought some very talented boys from Bahrain to participate in the tournament. This GCC Cup will now be a regular annual event.”  Following the intense contest that is going on now, the final will be held at the Vision Cricket Ground on May 21.